Railroad signal device.



Witnesses A WM,

W. R. DUNGAN.

RAILROAD SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FiLED mums, 191s.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

Attorneys WILLIAM B. DUNGAN, 0F BRISTOL, VIRGINIA.

RAILROAD SIGNAL DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented n r. as, rare.

Application filed June 26, 1916. Serial No. 106,032.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. DUNGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in the county of WVashington and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Railroad Signal Device, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to signal devices, and it is the object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of that character for railroad signaling.

It is the object of the invention to provide a railroad signal device embodying a flag, torpedo or cap receptacle and fusee holder assembled in a compact and convenient manner, in order that the device will be handy for signaling upon various occasions.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a signal device of the nature indicated which is improved generally in its construction and details to enhance the utility and efiiciency thereof, and which is simple, durable and inexpensive.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof, portions thereof being broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a rectangular transversely disposed receptacle or box 1 which is relatively flat, and which is arranged at right angles to the axis of the device, although said receptacle can be of various other shapes and arranged in different positions. The receptacle is preferably constructed of wood, although other materials can be used, and one side of the receptacle is closed by a cover 2 hinged, as at 3, to the body of the receptacle adjacent the outer edge thereof. This receptacle is for holding torpedoes or caps, whereby they can be conveniently carried, to be applied to the rails of the track when the occasion arises. The device also includes a longitudinal handle v l at its inner end, preferably constructed of wood, and provided at its outer end with a tenon 5 engaged within the inner edge of the receptacle 1. A latch or catch 6 is carried by the cover 2 adjacent the free inner edge thereof to engage a keeper 7 carried by the handle 4, whereby the cover will be normally held closed.

Carried by the receptacle 1 is a longitudial hollow flag stalf 8 of square or rectangular cross structed of wood. The staff 8 is in alinement with handle 1, said handle a and receptacle 1 being arranged at the inner end of the staff. As a simple and effective means for attaching the stafl to the recep' tacle 1, a wooden or equivalent plug 9 is slipped and secured within the inner end of the staff 8 and is provided with a tenon 10 engaged within the outer edge portion of the receptacle 1. A wooden or equivalent plug 11 is slipped and secured within the outer end of the staff 8 and projects therefrom to provide the tip of the stafi.

The staff 8 is hollow in order to normally house the flag, one side of the staff being provided with a longitudinal slot 12 extending from the plug 9 to the plug 11, and a longitudinal rod or shaft 13 extends through the plug 11 axially of the stalf, and its inner end extends into the plug 9, whereby said rod is mounted for rotation in said plugs. A roller 14 is secured upon the rod 13 within the staff between the plugs, and has attached thereto the signal flag 15 which when the rod 13 is rotated, will be wound upon the roller is within the staff. The free end of the flag 15 carries a rod 16, to Weight the free end of the flag, said rod fitting within a hem with which the free end of the flag is provided, and the rod 16 being longer than the slot 12 whereby to prevent the free end of the flag being drawn into the staff. The outer protruding end of the rod 13 has a ring or handle 17 whereby the rod can be readily rotated for winding up the flag. To bring the flag into use, the rod 16 is pulled away from the staff, thereby unrolling the flag and drawing it out of the staff. This flag can be colored red, or can be of any other suitable color for signaling purposes.

The means for holding the fuses embodies a pair of sheet metal strips 18 having their adjacent ends secured to the plug 11 at that section, and preferably con- V to receive and clamp the inner other 'trainmen 7 various clrcumstances, and eliminates the side 0 posite the slot 12, and the remote ends of said strips 18 extend at right angles and are secured, as at 19, to the adjacent sides of the plug 11. The intermediate portions of said strips are doubled and proi et. fra e th p u 11 orrq p tandi portions 20 for snugly receiving the fuses 21 therebetween. The inner. end, ofnthenfusee is held by means of a transverse resilient strip '22 secured to that side of the staff 8 opposite the slot 12 between the ends of the stafi, the end portions of the strip 22 being curled back toward one another, as at 23, end of the fusee h 'rebetween V ,Ihe inner end of the handle l is preferably provided With a screw eye 24 whereby the, device can be hung up when not in use. The present device provides an admirable convenient one for use by flagmen and for signaling under the Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by

necessity of using separate devices Which are apt to be lost or misla id, Whereas with the present device the signaling appliances are all assembled as a unit.

Havirig thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is: I

A device of the character described embodying a handle and staff in longitudinal alinement and spaced apart, and a transverse receptacle between said handle and stafl and having, portions attached to the adjacent ends of said handle and staff, the receptacle having a cover at one side between the handle and staff, said receptacle serving to connect the handle and staff.

In testimony that I claim the, foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM R. DUNGAN.

Witnesses:

W. O. BARBE, H. G. LAVINDER.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

